Opposition accused of ‘grandstanding’ over ad hoc committee chair
The inaugural sitting of Parliament’s ad hoc committee tasked with probing political interference in policing was the scene of some tense exchanges between MPs.
At one point, ANC MP Khusela Diko accused ActionSA MP Dereleen James of grandstanding for the cameras.
The conflict was sparked when James raised concerns about the election of ANC MP Soviet Lekganyane as chairperson of the committee, questioning the credibility of appointing an ANC member to lead a process probing alleged political interference by members of the executive.
Diko accused James of undermining the committee’s work before it began.
"What I wanted to say, chair, is that we cannot, on the very first day, seek to collapse this process,” Diko said.
"If we have members coming here with the intention of being populist, and using what is, to quote your words, a matter of grave concern to the people, for cheap political point-scoring, then we’re going to have a problem.
"In your opening remarks, you said the people of South Africa are watching this process and that no stone will be left unturned. I believe we should conduct ourselves in that spirit, not come here and make statements aimed at garnering attention for the cameras.”
The committee was established to investigate bombshell allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged political interference and corruption at high levels within the criminal justice system.
EFF leader Julius Malema defended James, describing Diko’s remarks as inappropriate for a committee meant to restore public confidence.
“There’s a difference between not being happy with the ANC occupying the position of chairperson and not being happy with the individual who holds that position. Let’s not create the impression that we have a problem with you personally; the issue is with the ANC holding that seat.
“Chair, you opened the floor for members to speak, and now people are being accused of speaking for the cameras? It’s as if only some voices are allowed to guide the discussion,” Malema said.
He insisted that James was exercising her democratic right to raise an observation, a legitimate political point that did not breach procedure or disrupt the process.
“This is ActionSA speaking for the first time. The least we could have done was protect her and allow her to share her observation, not subject her to character assassination, as we’ve just witnessed,” Malema urged.
“To call her a populist or accuse her of playing to the cameras is out of order. It’s unbecoming and unacceptable, especially at the very start of this committee’s work.”
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